Visit Panama City Beach is proud to announce the promotions of several key team members who have demonstrated exemplary leadership and dedication to the organization’s mission. Patrick Stewart has been promoted to Vice President of Special Events, while Chris O’Brien has been promoted to Vice President of Sports Marketing, and Kristen Krasinskas has advanced to Director of Sports Marketing.
“These promotions reflect the talent, hard work and strategic vision that each of these individuals brings to our team,” said Dan Rowe, President and CEO of Visit Panama City Beach. “Patrick, Chris and Kristen have each played vital roles in the continued success of our destination, and I’m confident they will further strengthen our impact and innovation in their new positions.”
Executive Promotions:
Patrick Stewart, Vice President of Special Events
In his new role, Stewart is responsible for the development, implementation and management of Visit Panama City Beach’s signature events; the creation of new event experiences; enhancements to special event venues; and serving as the primary liaison with city and county officials.
A U.S. Navy veteran and graduate of Florida State University Panama City, Stewart began his career at Visit Panama City Beach as an intern before advancing through roles including sports marketing and special events coordinator, operations manager, and director of special events. He holds multiple industry credentials, including the Sports Tourism Strategist designation from Sports ETA, the Certified Festival and Events Executive (CFEE) credential from the International Festivals and Events Association, and the Professional in Destination Management (PDM) certification from Destinations International. He is also a recipient of the Florida Festivals and Events Association’s Emerging Leader Award.
Chris O’Brien, Vice President of Sports Marketing
In his elevated role, O’Brien will continue leading the destination’s sports tourism strategy, driving business development and elevating the national profile of Panama City Beach as a premier sports event destination. Since joining Visit Panama City Beach in 2015, he has helped transform the region’s sports landscape—including developing the nationally recognized Publix Sports Park, which has received multiple national venue awards.
O’Brien brings more than 20 years of tourism marketing, event management and sports facility experience to the role. He is a Certified Sports Event Executive (CSEE), serves on the Panama City Beach Parks & Recreation Advisory Board and was recently inducted into the Grand Slam Tournament Hall of Fame in 2025 in recognition of his contributions to sports tourism and amateur baseball. He holds a master’s degree in sport management from Florida State University and a bachelor’s degree from George Mason University. He also teaches event marketing and management as an adjunct professor at FSU’s Dedman College of Hospitality.
Kristen Krasinskas, Director of Sports Marketing
Visit Panama City Beach is proud to announce the promotion of Kristen Krasinskas to director of sports marketing. In her new role, Krasinskas will lead strategic efforts to grow the destination’s presence in the sports tourism industry and drive long-term impact through innovative planning and partnership development. She will focus on market expansion by cultivating new national and regional partnerships and leading the development and execution of a long-term sports tourism growth strategy aligned with Panama City Beach’s broader goals for tourism, economic impact and community engagement.
Prior to joining Visit Panama City Beach, Krasinskas served as director of member experience at InnoLead, a Boston-based media and events company focused on corporate innovation. She also held roles with major sports organizations, including the Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA), Lake Erie Monsters (AHL), Cleveland Gladiators (AFL), New England Revolution (MLS), and Invictus Boston, a premier CrossFit training facility. She earned a degree in sports management from Springfield College and is passionate about the role of sports in community building and visitor engagement.
